DALKEY: €1.295MA modern two-storey house on the hill has cracking views over the city and bay

BUILT INTO THE hillside that is Dalkey seven years ago, Gorse Lodge on Knocknacree Road takes advantage of its elevation above Dublin city and bay.

It has just come on the market through Sherry FitzGerald with an asking price of €1.295 million.

The detached two-storey house has three bedrooms on the ground floor and, on the first floor, an open-plan living area with wraparound picture windows giving splendid views of rooftops and sea all the way to Howth.

The craggy rock of the hillside itself is put to practical and good-looking use in the small rear garden designed by Eric Mitchell which has tiered railway sleepers for seating, a barbecue area and ivy-clad walls.

Gorse Lodge, which is given privacy by a high, stone wall, is not particularly large with 123sq m (1,323sq ft) but much of the space is given to a large living/dining room and kitchen.

A front, pebbled area allows for parking and a steep, rockery garden on one side leads to the smaller, semi-circular rear garden.

The first floor living/dining room windows have nice, dark, hardwood frames and give access to a wraparound timber decking which extends the viewing prospects.

The flooring is of solid oak and a gas fire is set into a wall. A long, lantern-style ceiling light that runs over the stairs offers a nice touch, throwing light into both the living/dining room and the entrance hall below.

A glass wall separates this open, living area from the kitchen, which has polished granite worktops and fitted presses with brushed steel handles.

There is a guest toilet between the kitchen and a glass door leading to the peaceful rear garden.

Each of the ground floor bedrooms overlooks the pebbled, courtyard-style front garden. Two have patio doors and all have extensive, built-in wardrobes.

The family bathroom is on this level too and has a bath, shower, raised basin and hot press.